Focus
ISSUE 3
Nov/Dec 2021 Holiday Edition
On Thornton Township
Did You Know?
Thornton Township offers banquet hall rentals. If you are seeking a place to host an event, special occasion or an activity consider your local township hall. Space rental is handled on a first come serve basis and at the discretion of Thornton Township. For more details and to reserve space for rent, call our Clerk’s Office at 708-596-6040 ext. 3118. Locations For Rent Below: Senior Center- 1420 Huntington Drive, Calumet City, IL 60409 Youth & Family Center-14323 Halsted Street, Riverdale, IL 60827 Thornton Township Lower Level 333 E. 162nd Street South Holland, IL 60473 Visit Our Website & Social Media www.thorntontownship.com
Thornton Township Pitching In
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ixmoor’s recent water shortage left residents without clean water and low water pressure. Our GA department stepped up immediately by supplying 5 pallets of 30 cases of water. “We were happy to assist the Village of Dixmoor during this crisis”, said GA Director Tannika Hughes.
“Doing More With Less” Our residents are our top priority, and we want to ensure more resources and general assistance is provided for everyone’s health, safety, and well-being. We understand that partnerships are without a doubt a key contributor to success and essential services. By sharing resources, we can better serve for our residents and reduce cost. This is how we are able to ‘Do more with Less’. Throughout this pandemic we have achieved successful partnerships that offer direct relief to those affected and struggling. On October 27th, we partnered with Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) and Cook County Bureau of Economic Development to host a workshop for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This initiative was offered to assist
landlords and tenants with rent and utility relief. On October 13th, we partnered with The Links, Inc., South Suburban Chapter for a Kidney & Diabetes screening event by providing free transportation. On November 13th, we were a participating sponsor for TF North High School 5th Annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway. This project is provided by the culinary students from TF North and offered to the community residents in need. To learn more about our partnerships, email connectwithus@gmail.com.
Emergency Rental Assistance Workshop
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Thornton Township Assessor’s Office
Hours
Monday - Friday 9:00AM-4:00PM
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Location
333 162nd Street
South Holland, IL
Phone
(708) 596-6040 EXT. 3175 Assessor CASSANDRA W. ELSTON
Greetings Thornton Township Residents, Your Cook County property tax year 2020 second installment deadline was October 1, 2021. If you have not made a payment, you may do so at www.cookcountytreasurer.com. The easiest and fastest way to pay your Cook County property tax bill is online. If you are unable to pay online, you may do so at any Chase Bank in Illinois. Please provide with your payment a tax bill payment coupon for the current tax year 2020 (payable in 2021). Taypayers can also contact my office to ensure that any qualifying tax saving exemption (s) were applied to their 2nd installment tax bill. Types of exemptions include Homeowners, Senior, Senior Freeze, Disabled Homeowners with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans. The Cook County Board of Review is closed for in person appeal reviews due to current conditions. Filing date of appeals for Thornton Township has not yet been determined. Your Thornton Township Assessor’s Office, in conjunction with the Cook County Board of Review are currently conducting a pre-filing of appeals. If you would like to file an appeal or obtain a filing date and deadline, please visit the Board of Review at www.cookcountyboardofreview.com or visit your Thornton Township Assessor’s Office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 333 East 162nd Street, Upper Level – East Entrance in South Holland, IL.
Z.A.P
Warm wishes, Cassandra W. Elston, Thornton Township Assessor
Zuccarelli Assistance Program
s A the scorching temperatures of the summer heat have come to a halt, and the breeze of the fall creeps in, we will continue to service our residents with our fall leaf program. The fall leaf program began o N e v mber 1, 2021 and will end o N e v mber 30, 2021. This is a weather permitting program. c A cordingly, if it rains or snows, no leaf service will be conducted. Sign ups o f r our upcoming summer ZAP program of 202 will begin in January 202. Our lawn care program begins in a M y 202 and ends in o N e v mber 202. For more inquiries or questions call the ZAP department at 708-596-6040 x E t. 4001.
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The Focus // 3 Season’s Greetings! The holiday season is around the corner and so is the end of the year. I look ahead to 2022, which will bring new opportunities for success. My office is open for hunting & fishing licenses, temporary disabled placards, voter registration as well as notary services. As a convenience for you, we have Certified Notaries available at no charge. Notary public services are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For notary services individuals must: - Have two (2) forms of I.D. containing the individual’s signature, and at least one containing the photo of the signer(s), (i.e., driver’s license or passport).
Hours Mon / Wed / Fri 9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. Tues / Thurs 9:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m. Location 333 162nd Street South Holland, IL Lower Level Phone
Thornton Township Clerks’s Office
(708) 596-6040 EXT. 3123
Clerk Loretta C. Wells
Meet The Clerk’s Staff Kierra “Kiea” Lewis, Deputy Clerk • Township employee for 8 years
- All signers must be present at the time of notarization(s).
• Resident of Riverdale
- Make sure documents are complete (with exception of your signature). In order for us to notarize, we must see the entire document (s).
• A mother of two
- Do not sign your signature until you are in the presence of the notary. The Township Clerk’s Office DOES NOT provide the following services: -Witness documents. If your documents require a witness, you must bring in your own witness . - Give legal advice or prepare legal documents. - Notarize documents written in a foreign language. - Wills or Living Wills - Land documents (i.e., mortgages, loan modifications, etc.). For further information on our notary services, please contact my office at 708-596-6040 ext. 3118.
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday Blessings to all! Clerk Wells, Thornton Township
•
Enjoys family time, skating, hair/beauty and traveling
“I love extending a helping hand into the needs of our community and serving our Residents. The Township has really given me the opportunity to connect with and meet some great people.” Mykel Miller, Administrative Clerk • Township employee for 1 year • Resident of South Holland • Loves babysitting, family time, nature, writing, assisting others and aesthetics “I enjoy working as an integral part of the administrative team and helping to execute various office functions, as well as meeting new individuals and learning new things through my journey with working with the Township and in everyday life.”
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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Thornton Township offers our seniors free curb to curb service for residents 60 years and older and it is an honor to serve our residents. With the winter months approaching, we serviced and prepared our fleet for the upcoming months. Many of our seniors avoid driving in the winter, making our services even more essential as rigid temperatures approach. Our fall and winter schedule will relfect our current surge in ridership due to several factors such as inclement weather, holiday & flu season as well as the ongoing pandemic. All of these factors play a role in the increase demand for transportation services. In the month of October, we seen a 50.7% increase from last year and we anticipate this increase to continue throughout the months of November and December. Our transportation team continues to make sanitation a priority for the safety of our residents as well as our staff. Transportation services are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you need a ride to medical appointemnts, grocery shopping, and community events or activities please call 708-339-9980.
A THREE BUSINESS DAY NOTICE FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS IS REQUIRED & APPRECIATED. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR FELLOW RIDERS: 4 BAG MAXIMUM. Each one way ride is given for the suggested donation of $1.00; EXACT FARE ONLY PLEASE!
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General GeneralAssistance Assistance
Service Opportunity Spread The Word!
We continue to see a rise in demand throughout our communities for food. There is a lack of access specifically to nutritional food items. Every holiday season Thornton Township provides over 10,000 Holiday food boxes to families in need. The boxes consist of 28 nutritious food items to make a complete delicious hot Holiday meal for you and your family. We are currently in dire need of volunteers. We need the helping hands of our community to complete our mission and succeed in surpassing our current goal. Volunteers will assist with the packing of the food boxes. Please call 708-596-6040 Ext. 3119 or email connectwithus@thorntontwp.com to request a day of service form, which will specify the time, date, and availability that you have to help us continue to thrive and strengthen our communities.
Spread A Little Holiday Cheer Join us for a throw back polaroid family fun photo day. On Decemeber 10, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thornton Township will host a holiday picture day for you, your family and friends. Come in your favorite holiday sweater and take a photo with the Township Christmas tree. You will enjoy; * Holiday Treats * Festive Music * And a Christmas Surprise!!! For more information please contact 708-596-6040 ext. 3168
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Special Services This summer, Thornton Township Special Services department began activity for our residents with disabilities and special needs amid COVID. Residents finally got the opportunity to enjoy one of their favorite sporting events-Bowling! Bowling is held every Monday & Thursday from 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. , at Lan-Oak Lanes, located, 2524 Ridge Rd., Lansing, IL 60438. If you are a Thornton Township resident, prices for 1 game- $2.00 and 2 games- $4.00. Non township residents are also welcomed to participate, prices for 1 game-$2.50 and 2 games-$5.00. Bowling ramps may be provided if needed for any lanes. A Thornton Township bowling t-shirt and bowling shoes are also included. On October 26th, Special Services held a Halloween bowling party, and one of our most loyal participants, Kelly Howard attended. She has been a part of our Special Service’s family for over 4 years. She attends all the events Thornton Township offers. Although Ms. Howard enjoys the competitive and playful environment that our weekly bowling provides, her favorite event is our Special Services Prom. “I love all of the events the township has, but Prom is my favorite. I love to dance”, says Ms. Howard. If you’re interested in joining Special Services weekly bowling activity, contact Mary Jones at 708-596-6040 ext. 3114. Transportation is available if needed, please call us to arrange a ride at 708-596-6040 ext. 4011 or 4012 for dispatch. Please bring your I.D. to register.
Youth & Family Services For the past 10 years, Youth and Family Services (YFS) has researched and awaited the opportunity to move forward with innovative ideas and technological tools to better serve members of the community who could benefit from our counseling services. Implementing some of those ideas were challenging and failed to gain sufficient traction pre-COVID-19. Since April 2020, the Youth and Family Services department has offered counseling service (free of charge to residents of Thornton Township) via telehealth. This means that clients have been able to participate in individual, couples, and group sessions remotely and conveniently from the comfort of their homes, jobs, or wherever else they may find themselves. This offering has made it easier for clients to attend their appointments, consistently. Now, clients can participate in counseling/therapy services (with minimal challenges) by using their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. In anticipation of new clients’ preferences towards telehealth, we are also implementing an online intake process. In this way, client’s will be able to complete preliminary forms, screening tools, and, request counseling/therapy appointments with a YFS clinical therapist 24/7/365. Clients are still able to reach our Intake Coordinator, Meghan Dudek, at 708/596-6040 ext. 3155.
Community Relations Tis the season Thornton Township! The Community Relations department is currently on tour. You may have noticed our frequent outreach sessions around Thornton Township. There’s no other way to hear from our residents and build relationships without actively engaging our constituents. Our team is working towards our goal of building positive long-term relationships with stakeholders necessary to our growth, success, and commitment to “People working with People”. This is accomplished by participating in government and civic committees/ organizations and maintaing a strong social media presence, etc. We are interested in uncovering ideas from our residents. During the fall/winter seasons we will be hosting tea-time focus groups to receive your feedback. More importantly, your thoughts, and ideas for improvement regarding events, activities, programs and field trips are more than appreciated. Thornton Township wants to ensure we are meeting your expectations, all are invited. If interested, please contact 708-596-6040 ext.3150 or email connectwithus@thorntontwp.com.